No slowdown in UK holiday bookings after Brexit vote, says TUI

Tour operator TUI says there has been no slowdown in UK bookings as a result of the EU referendum, but fewer travellers are choosing Turkey and North Africa for their holidays.

Europe’s biggest tour operator said UK revenue and bookings were up 6% in the third quarter, adding: “There has been no apparent slowdown in bookings as a result of the EU referendum, demonstrating once again the resilience of demand for our unique and differentiated holidays.”

Across the group, revenue was down 5.7% as a decline in bookings to North Africa and Turkey and the impact of terrorist attacks across Europe took their toll.

Earnings were up 1% to 180 million euros (£154.5 million) in the period and the firm said its summer programme is 87% sold.

Bookings to markets excluding Turkey, where an attempted military coup was thwarted last month, were up 8%.

Chief executive Fritz Joussen said: “We are in a better position to cushion geopolitical challenges. No one is immune to external impacts. However, it has been demonstrated that we have launched the right strategy, engage in active management and control, and have developed a sophisticated risk management system.”

Terror attacks have also impacted rival Thomas Cook, with the travel firm forced to lower its full year earnings guidance in July.